No matter where you live this is an excellent list to read through and possibly even print or write down notes in a “survival folder”. You may never know when you will need to milk a cow or planet an orange tree!
1. Canning all your garden produce.
Preserve fruits and vegetables from your homestead naturally so you can eat holistically all year long.
2. How to bake bread.
Never rely again on grocery store breads with bleached flours or expensive healthy loaves. Bake your own at home!3. Make homemade laundry detergent.
Make your own chemical-free detergent in either liquid or powder form.
4. How to make cheese from scratch.
Use your milk product to make your choice of fresh, delicious cheese.
5. Grow plants in your climate.
Every climate has a different time period for planting various seeds. Find the best one for your homestead.
6. Know first aid and CPR.
Just in case there is an accident on the homestead, you should always be prepared (especially if you live out in the boonies like I do).
7. Learn how to drive a tractor and a dirt bike.
This can greatly decrease the amount of time you spend walking back and forth from various chores on the homestead and is a great help when you need to carry heavy loads of supplies from one place to another.
8. Train animals (like dogs and horses).
Believe me when I say this will save you loads of time in the future. If you have to stop gardening to discipline a dog that’s using his digging skills in your garden and then replant the dissembled plants, you will waste more time than it takes to properly train him.
9. Make simple booby traps.
Keep those pesky squirrels out of your cow’s feed or simply trap them for a little extra protein.
10. Learn how to forage for wild herbal plants that can be used as medicine.
Preparation for emergencies is key, but in the event of injury in a natural disaster you may have to forage for plants with healing properties. Be very cautious when using herbs you did not plant yourself and do not use them unless you’re 100% sure that you have the correct plant.
11. Know how to start a fire without a match.
No one should ever rely completely on one method or another. Learn how to start a fire in a variety of ways in case you are ever without matches.
12. Store a gun safely and properly.
Part of knowing how to use a gun is learning to store is safely away from children and possible attackers. You’ll sleep more soundly at night knowing it’s in a safe place.
13. Know how to hunt wild game.
Make sure you have the proper licenses to hunt game and provide more protein for your family and keep your livestock’s predators at bay.14. Know how to milk a cow and goat.
You may think that one is exactly like the other, but I assure you it is not. Learn the basics of milking your livestock. Every cow and goat is different and so you will have to learn to adjust your techniques accordingly, but the basics remain the same.
15. Know how to clean and cook fish.
It can be tricky to clean a fish because of all the tiny bones. Learn the proper way to clean and cook fish so that you can avoid any sharp bones while eating your catch.
16. Learn how to sew clothing.
Save your husband’s favorite pair of jeans, upcycle an old dress into a beautiful blouse, or adjust your children’s hemlines so that they’re not tripping over pants that are too long.
17. Dry laundry using a drying rack or clothesline.
Give your clothes a breath of fresh air and dry them outdoors instead of opting for the costly electric dryer option.
18. Know how to humanely kill, gut and clean an animal.
Butchering time is never a happy time on the farm, but it’s necessary to know how to humanely put your livestock down so they do not suffer. You must also know how to gut and clean them so the meat does not spoil.
19. Make and maintain your own sourdough starter.
My mother always used a portion of others starter’s and would be reluctant to leave it for more than a couple days, worrying that it would die and she would be forced to bum more from a friend. That’s why I learned to make my own (I also like being the generous friend who shares).
20. Know how to cut, bale, and stack hay.
Keeping your hay organized will cut chaos out of your homestead.
21. Make your own greenhouse.
Grow produce all year long in a homemade greenhouse.
22. Prepare wheat without a grinder.
If you don’t have a grinder or wheat mill, there is another technique I learned to prepare wheat.
23. Make your own chicken feed.
Find a recipe that works for your chickens. You may even be able to use things you have on hand already!
24. Build a geodesic dome.
You can use this structure for extra storage, a chicken coop or as a greenhouse. Either way, these domes are useful additions for homesteads.
25. Know how to dry herbs.
Preserve your herbs for teas, spices, or to hang in your home as an acting air freshener.
26. Know how to make organic mosquito repellent.
The ingredients in mosquito repellent can be harmful to skin and some have even been linked to cancer. Make your own natural mosquito repellent free from these harmful chemicals.
27. Prepare your homestead for wildfire.
Be sure that you are taking every precaution against wildfire spreading across your homestead.
28. Prepare your homestead for blizzards.
Make sure your family and your livestock are protected against freezing temperatures.
29. Know how to plant and grow tomatoes.
I find myself putting tomatoes in almost every recipe during the summer. Tomatoes are easy to plant and maintain once you get into the habit.
30. Dehydrate foods to preserve them.
Each food requires a different amount of time and slight variations on the dehydration process. Using this method means that you can enjoy your favorite foods even when they’re not in season.
31. Make homemade beauty products.
Even though I spend most of my days covered in mud and smelling like a barn, I like to take care of myself and look good the natural way.
32. Make your own doggy treats.
Give your dog the treats they deserve. After all, they’re part of the family too.
33. Learn permaculture.
I promise you your entire homestead will thrive if you implement permaculture correctly.
34. Learn how to plant a tree.
Depending on the varieties you plan to plant, you may need to learn a few different processes. Also, you should learn to prune and harvest anything that grows on your trees.
35. Know how to propagate plants through root cuttings.
Just like seeds can be harvested and replanted, so can roots of certain plants. Save yourself some money and a trip to a nursery by re-planting roots of certain plants.
36. Learn how to assist with foaling, kidding, lambing and calving.
Even in a healthy birth, you will still need to be near to take care of your animals after they are born. Be sure to do your homework for whichever animals will be giving birth and learning anything you can do to help the process go more smoothly. Mostly be there to keep the mother calm and hydrated.
37. Learn how to keep bees and harvest honey.
Even if you have an urban homestead, you can keep bees in your backyard! Learn how to keep your hive healthy and honey harvesting tips and techniques.
38. Know how to purify water in different ways.
Use various methods to make sure that you always have access to clean water.
39. Learn basic carpentry skills.
Building things with your hands not only will save you money, but will also make you swell with pride when you see your handiwork.
40. Learn how sharpen a knife, ax and other cutting tools.
Keep your tools sharp and prolong their lives by sharpening them yourself.
41. Make meat stock from scratch.
Using every part of the animal has always been very important to me. Not only does it reduce waste, it also seems more respectful to the animal to me.
42. Know how to use non-electric lighting.
Pay close attention to any safety precautions that should be taken with non-electric lighting.
43. Make your own solar lamp.
Use a different energy with this homemade solar lamp.
44. Know how to use a sewing machine.
Just learning to thread the machine took me a while. But the more you know about your machine, the easier time you will have using it.
45. Make your own vinegar.
This can either be used for cooking, cleaning or even for medicinal properties. Either way, it’s a handy thing to know!
46. Know how to protect your livestock from predators.
Some things may be as simple as creating a predator-proof lock or home for your livestock, other times you may have to take more drastic measures with brute force. Know your predators and figure out your best line of defense.
47. Understand and learn the process of home brewing.
Making your own beer is rewarding and delicious. Also, the process is easy once you get the hang of it.
48. Know how to paint concrete.
Make a dull place appear brighter with a couple coats of paint. You can even stencil a design on it if you’re feeling fancy. This is also a great alternative for creating beautiful, inexpensive countertops.
49. Learn how to swap and barter goods.
Give and get back on equal ground by learning how to swap and barter goods fairly.
50. Learn how to trim the hooves of goats or sheep properly.
This is a process that occurs naturally in wild goats and sheep who roam rocky areas, but on a homestead they may not be exposed to these elements. Trimming hooves is important for your animals comfort and health
51. Learn how to dig and properly use a shallow well.
A well ensures a continual water source for your homestead and can be a great assistance if placed strategically by your garden or barn. Just be sure that you are not digging it in a place that will contaminated by waste.
52. Learn how to read the weather.
Forecasting can be possible with subtle clues from Mother Nature. Predict when a storm is coming, how strong it is likely to be, and when it is likely to occur.
53. Know your own physical and mental skill limitations.
Often times I start to get down on myself for not accomplishing an impossibly long to-do list. Just accept that you are human, imperfect and only capable within your limitations. That doesn’t mean you’ve failed, it just means you have to adjust your expectations and ask for help when it’s needed.
54. Learn how to use a garden shovel, spade or hoe properly.
This may seem simple, but you can save yourself backaches and blisters by adjusting your grip slightly or using one muscle rather than another.
55. Learn how to forage for wild edibles in your area.
Again, if you are not growing the food yourself you must take every precaution before ingesting anything. Learn what edibles grow in your neck of the woods and which markers indicate a safe plant versus a harmful plant.
Some of the above skills will be much easier than others. You just need to be patient and persistent. And, as has been said, not all of these talents are pertinent to all circumstances.
For even more skills, and there are plenty, please go to Pioneer Settler, a wonderful website with all sorts of ideas including how to split firewood and reuse citrus peels!